The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed reports that it withdrew the list of its 2027 presidential campaign council, describing the report as fake news.
APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, confirmed to TheCable on Tuesday that the party had not withdrawn the list released over the weekend.
Morka said any decision to make changes to the list would be officially communicated by the party.
“Rumours are not news. When people are carrying rumours, that is not news. There is fake news, and there is real news,” he said.
“Nobody will give any list at the moment. But if there is any reason to update it, it would be announced properly.”
APC Unveils Campaign Council
The ruling party on Saturday released its presidential campaign council ahead of the 2027 general election.
President Bola Tinubu was named chairman of the council, while Vice-President Kashim Shettima was appointed vice-chairman.
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APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, was also named vice-chairman.
Former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, was appointed Director-General, while Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, was named secretary.
Other members listed include former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; former Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund board chairperson, Ngozi Olejeme; Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji; and Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Taminu Yakubu.
List Sparks Controversy
The composition of the council has generated controversy, particularly over the inclusion of some serving public officials and individuals who have faced corruption allegations.
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso, had earlier faulted the inclusion of Zacch Adedeji, executive chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), and Taminu Yakubu, director-general of the Budget Office of the Federation, in the APC campaign council.
Kwankwaso urged Nigerians to reject what he described as “continued oppression” and demand accountable, people-oriented governance.
Edu the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, who is now part of the APC campaign list was suspended by President Tinubu in January 2024 over alleged financial misconduct. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission subsequently investigated the matter, although the outcome of the investigation has not been publicly disclosed.
Olejeme, the former Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund board chairperson, is also not free from corruption scandal as she is currently being is investigated by the EFCC over an alleged N1 billion money-laundering offence.
Reports on Monday however claimed that the APC had withdrawn the campaign council list to review some of the names following criticism of some members identified in the lists
Morka has now rejected the report and said any changes to the list would be formally announced by the party.
According to TheCable he has declined to comment on complaints by some APC members over the absence of prominent party figures from the council, saying he was not the appropriate person to address such concerns.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.